Pressing machine control lock



Aug. 22, 1933. E DAVlS' 1,923,530

PRESSING MACHINE CONTROL LOCK Original Filed NOV. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ERNEST DAVIS.

A TTORNEYJ.

Aug. 22, 1933. DAVIS 1,923,530

PRESSING MACHINE CONTROL LOCK Original Filed v- 2 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 84 Z30 l I 5G3 a6 -92 30 89 1 O J INVENTOR. a5 ERNEST DAVIS. f/g-5- Q BY I 108 101 @M+ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 22, 1933 l OFFICE,

PRESSING MACHINE CONTROL LOCK Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Frosperity Company, Inca, Syracuse, N. Y., a

Corporation of New York Appiication November 21, 1930, Serial No. 497,194 Renewed November 4, 1932 17 Claims. (01. 6S-9) This invention relates to garment or laundry Figure 2 is a section along the line 22 of pressing machines and particularly to means for Figure 1. v locking the power control means in operated Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of position for the purpose of holding the press Figure 2.

closed under pressure. Figure 1 is a section along the line 4-4 of It is conventional practice in pressing ma- Figure 2. chines, which are operated by pneumatic motors, Figure 5 is a schematic showing, mostly in to employ control valves which are normally in section, of the motor and control valves, together inoperated position and which do not lock in with the means for locking the control valves 10 operated position until after the press is closed. in operated position.

With two-hand control means in particular, it is Figure 6 is a schematic showing, partly in highly important that the operator be required section, of a modification of the control means to hold the controls in position until the pressing shown in Figure 5. s elements have come together. With many kinds The invention is designed primarily for use 15 of work itis necessary to hold the press closed with pressing machines having opening and for a period of time and it is therefore desirable closing movement of the type which are prothat the control valves lock in operated position vided with a pressing head 11 carried by a yoke after the press is closed. With valve locking 12 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 13 devices which are operated by the press motor, supported from the pr ssing machine frame 14.

so or by some other part of the actuating mecha- The pressing head 11 is movable toward and nism, when such part reaches a predetermined from a buck 15 to close and open the press. position, the controls may be properly locked The buck 15 is supported by a neck 16 mounted under certain conditions and look too soon or not on the pressing machine frame 14. g at all under other conditions. For example set- The yoke 12 is oscillated about the shaft 13 tling of the padding on the buck, or changes by conventional actuating mechanism which in the thickness of the work, or play in the conincludes a bell crank 20 pivotally mounted at 1 nections of the actuating mechanism may cause 21 on the pressing machine frame l l. The bell the part which operates the control look to lock crank 20 is pivotally connected at 22 with a the controls in operated position sooner than link 23 which is pivot l Connected at 24 with O 30 safety would dictate. the yoke 12. The link 23 and the upstanding V The principal object of this invention is to arm of the bell crank 20 form a toggle which is provi e means for locking the controls of a pressnormally held broken by countersprings 25 and ing machine in operated position, and to operate 26. The bell crank 20 is operated by a motor such means from the pressure between the press- 28 which is oscillatably connected at 29' with 33 ing elements so that the locking operation will the pressing machine frame 14 and which has a always occur at the proper time. piston rod'30 pivotally connected at 31 with the A further. object of the invention is to provide bell crank 20. When pressure is applied to the the valves, which control the operation of a fluid motor 28 the bell crank 20 is rocked in a pressii'igmachine motor, with means for locking counter-clockwise direction to straighten the them in operated position, and to operate such toggle and rock the yoke 12 in a counter-clockmeans from relative movement of a part of the Wisev direction to bring the pressing head 11 into actuating mechanism which will occur when the contact with the buck 15. When pressure in pressing elements come together.v 1 thefluid motor 28 is relieved the ,countersprings 4 Other objects and advantages of the invention 25 and 26 will restore the press to open position. 0

J will appear and will be pointed out as the de- The shaft 13 is mounted in a bearing blocks? 7 scription D EBCIS- and this bearing block 33 is non-rotatably and The invention consists in the novel features slidably mounted in a verticalslot 35 formed and in the combinations and constructions herein the pressing machine frame 14. The downinafter set forth and claimed. ward pressure of the shaft 13 which results 59 In describing this invention reference is had from the Weight of the yoke 12,-and the parts 9 to the accompanying drawings in which like connected therewith, holds the bearing block 33 characters designate corresponding parts in all normally against the lower end of the slot 35. the views. Compression springs 37 are provided between Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a pressing mathebearing block 33 and the, upper end of the chine to which the invention is applied. slot 35. These springs may be held against dis- 7 placement by lugs 38 formed on the bearing block 33 and at the upper end of the slot 35. These springs 3'7 make it necessary to apply a greater force to raise the bearing block 33 in the slot 35 than Would be necessary to overcome the downward pressure resulting from the weight of the parts only.

When the press is open the bearing block 33 will rest against the lower end of the slot 35 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. When the toggle link 23 exerts an upward pressure against the rearwardly extending arm of the yoke 12, the yoke will pivot about the shaft 13 to bring the pressing head 11 into contact with the buck 15. The upwardthrust of the toggle link 23 during this closing movement of the press, doesgnot exert sufficient force to move the bearing block 33 upwardly in the slot 35. The springs 3'7 are of sufiicient strength to prevent upward -movement of the bearing block 33 during the initial closing of the press. 7

When the pressing elements come in contact further upward pressure of the toggle link 23 will cause the yoke 12 to move upwardlyabout the pressing head 11 as a fulcrum. This movement of the yoke 12 will cause the bearing block 33 to move upwardly in the slot 35 and compress the springs 37. It is this upward movement of the bearing block 33, which does not occur until the pressing elements have come together under pressure, which causes the operation of the valve locking means in a manner presently to be described. i

The bearing block 33, slot 35 and spring 37 form a movable mounting for the'yoke 12 which normally is stationary. The movable mounting does not move until the jaws come together and pressure begins to be applied therebetween, which movement is utilized. to actuate the control valve locking means or the mechanism to hold the control means in operated position. It will be noted that any mounting for any member of the actuating mechanism or any mounting between members of the actuating mechanism, between the motor means 28 and the movable pressing jaw 11, which is normally stationary and moves only when the pressing jaws 11 and come together and pressure begins to be applied therebetween, may be used to operate a control valvelocking means. Such equivalent mecha nism is contemplated herein.

'A connecting member 40is mounted on the shaft 13 and this connecting member 40 isprovided with a link 42 which is pivotally connected .at 44 with a lever 45. The lever 45is oscillatably mounted at 46 on a bracket 47 which is attached to the pressing machine frame 14;

The lever 45 is connected to a stem 49 of a bellows 50. The bellows 50 is mounted in a bellows casing 52. A pipe 54 connects the bellows with the valve locking means described hereinafter.

56- which is mounted over the end of the connectingmember 40. The connecting member 46 is hollow throughout a portion of its length and this hollow portion contains a spring 58 which surrounds the link42 and is compressed between the cap 56 and an enlarged end' portion of the link 42. From the description thus far and the illustration in Figures 3 and 4 it will be apparent that upward movement of the bearing block 33 in the slot will cause the shaft 13 to move upwardly. This movement of the shaft 13 will raise the connecting member and link 42 which will rock the lever to compress the bellows and cause the liquid in the bellows 50 to be forced through the pipe 54. The liquid thus forced through the pipe 54 acts to lock the control mechanism in operated position in a manner later to be described.

Figure 5 shows the press operating fluid motor 28 and the control means therefor which include push buttons 60 and '62. The push button 60 operates the valve in the valve casing 65. The valve casing contains a normally open exhaust valve 66 which is formedwith a stem 67 projecting through the end of the valve casing 65. A rocker arm 69 is pivotally mounted at '70 on a bracket formed on the valve casing 65. Movement of the push button 60 is transmitted through a bell crank '72 to the rocker arm 69 which operates against the valve stem 6'7 to move the exhaust valve 6 into closed position. The bell crank '72 is pivotally mounted at '73 on the pressing machine frame 14. A spring i normally holds the bell crank 72 and push button 60 in inoperative position.

The push button 62 operates the valves in the valve casing '77. This valve casing '77 contains a normally closed intake valve '79 and a normal- 1 1y open exhaust valve which are connected together by a spacer rod 81 so that they operate as a unit. A spring 82 holds the valves 79 and 80 in normal position. The exhaust valve 80 is provided witha valve stem 84 which projects 1 through the end of the valve casing 77 and against which a rocker arm 85 operates to open the intake valve '79 and close the exhaust valve 80. Motion of the push button 62 is transmitted through a bell crank 86 to the rocker arm 85. 1 The bell crank 86 is pivotally mounted at 88 on the pressing machine frame 14. A spring 89 normally holds the bell crank 86 and push button 62 in'inoperative. position. 7

Working fluid is supplied to the valve casing 7'7 through a fluid supply line 90. The valve casing '77 is connected, at a point midway between the valves, by a pipe 92 with a pipe 93 which connects with a cylinder 95 of the fluid motor 28. 1

The valve casing 65 is connected by a pipe 97 with the pipe 93. Operation of the push button 62 will open the intake valve 79 and permit working fluid to flow from the fluid supply line 90', around the open intake valve 79. through the 1 valve casing '77, and pipes 92 and 93, to the motor 28. In order to build up pressure in the pipes 92 and 93, suflieient to operate the motor 28, it is necessary to operate the push button 60 to close the exhaust valve 66 and prevent the 1 escape of working fluid through the pipe 97. The valve and piping connections, for supplying working fluid to the motor 28, are of the conventional type used on pressing machines having two-hand control.

The valve casings 65 and 77 are Dl'OVldECtWllJh diaphragm chambers 100 and 101 respectively. The diaphragm chamber 100 contains 2. diaphragm 164 which operates against a plunger .105. This plunger 105 extends through the end i of the diaphragm chamber 100- and operates against one end of the rocker arm 69. When pressure is applied behind the diaphragm 104, the plunger 105 will be moved against the end of the rocker arm 69 to hold the rocker arm, and

rgeeaseo the valve='66 which is operated thereby, in operated position.

The diaphragm chamberiOl contains a diaphragm 107 which operates against: a plunger 108. The plunger 128 extends through the end of the diaphragm chamber 101 and when pressure is applied behind the diaphragm 101 the plunger will be moved against one endoi the rocker arm 85 to hold the rocker arm, and the valves 79 and 80 operated thereby, in operated position.

Pipes 110 and 112 connect the pipe 54with the diaphragm chamberslfiil and '101 respectively. The bellows and the pipes which communicate with the bellows 50 are preferably filled with liquid such as oil. When the bellows 50 is operated, as previously described, to force liquid through the pipe 54 this liquid will pass through the pipes 110 and 112 to the diaphragm chambers 100 and 101 respectively to operate the'diaphragm and plunger 01' each diaphragm cham- .ber. The bellows-50 is the means is onerabl upon movement of the mounting 33,35 and 37 and which is connected with the diaphragms 104 and 197 or the holding means for actuating the holding means whereby the control means are held in operative position and the press remains closed.

Means are provided for reducing the liquid pressure in the diaphragm chambers 100 and 101 when the operator desires to open the press. This means includes a bellows 115 which is mounted in a casing 116. A lever 118 is pivotally mounted at 119 on a bracket 120 which is formed on the bellows casing 116. One end of the lever 118 contacts with the top of the bellows 115 and a spring 122 normally holds the "lever 118 pressed against the bellows 115 so that the bellows will be compressed. A handle 124 is provided one end of the lever 118 and this handle 12 imaybe operated to move the lever 118 against the pressure of the spring 122. -When the lever 118 is thus moved the pressure on the bellows 115 is relieved and the bellows free to expand.

The bellows 115 is connected with the pipe 112'by a pipe 125.

The operation of the valve locking mechanism shown in Figure 5 is as fo1lows:

When the operator wishes to close the press he will depress the. push buttons and62 to move the valves in the valve casings and '77 into operated position for supplying working fluid to the motor 28. When the pressing elements come together the bellows 50 will be compressed in the manner previously described. When the bellows 50 is thus compressed liquid, such as oil, will be forced through the pipe 54 and the pipes 110 and 112, to the diaphragm chambers 100 and 101 respectively. The oil thus supplied to the diaphragm chambers 10% and 161 will exert suificient pressure against the diaphragms to hold the valves in the, valve casings 65and 77 in operated position as previously described. This oil pressure is not sumcienthowever to expand the bellows 115' against the force of the spring 122.

When the operator wishes to open the press he will move the handle 12% to relieve the pressure of the lever 118 againstthe bellows 115. When the pressure on the bellows 115 is thus relieved the air pressure against the exhaust valves 65 and 80, together with the pressure of the spring 82, will move the valve stems "67 and 84 into inoperative position, and force the oil in the diaphragm chamberslOO and 101 through the "pipes-110, 112 and 125-int0 the bellows V 1 15. 1

When the valves in the valve casings 65, and '17 return to normal-positionworking fluid from the motor-28 will exhaust"through the pipe 93 and 'pipes92-and 97, and past the open exhaust valves "66 and 80. When the pressure in the fluidmotoru28 is .thus reduced the counter springs 25 and 26" (see Figure 1) will rock the yoke12 in 'a clockwise direction and the shaft 13 will move downwardly and the bellows50 will be again expanded.

Figure 6=shows a modified form of. the. control mechanism shown in Figure 5. Most of the parts shown in. Figure'6 are not in section since they are identical-with the corresponding parts in Figure 5. The only difference between the modification shown in Figure 6 and the structure described i in connection with Figure 5 is in the means for reducing the oil pressure which holds the valves in operated position.

'Wo'rking fluid is supplied to the valve casing '77- throughthe fluid supply line but an orifice 130 is provided in the fluid supply line 90 to limit the rate of flow of working fluid to the valve casing 77.

The pipe 92 is connected by apipe 132 with a valve casing 135. The valve casing 135 contains an exhaust valve 136 which is normally held in closed position by a spring 137. A handle 138 is provided which operates against a stem 139 of the exhaust valve 136 to move the exhaust valve 136 into openposition.

The closing and locking of the press by the modified control mechanism shown in Figure 6 is identical. with that described in connection with Figure 5. When the operator wishes to open thepress, with the modified control mechanism shown in Figure 6, he will operate the handle 138 to open the exhaust valve 136. When the exhaust valve 136 is thus opened working fluid from the fluid motor 28 will escape through the pipes 93, 92, and 132, faster than working fluid canbe supplied to the pipe 92 through the orifice 130 and valve casing 77.

The pressure in the fluid motor 28 is-thus reduced and the pressure exerted by the actuating mechanism againstthe yoke 12 is correspondingly reduced. Due to this reduction in theupward pressure against the yoke 12 and the springs 3'? (see Figures 2 and 3) will move the bearing block 33 downwardly into contact with the bottom of the slot 35 and thebellows 50 (see Figure 4:) will be again :expanded to relieve the oil pressure in the diaphragm chain bers andlol. When the oil pressurein the diaphragm chambers lOO and 101 is thus relieved the valves in the valve casings 65 and 77 will be free to return to normal position in the manner previously described.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that this invention provides novel valve locking means which are economical and effi cient and which 'will not lock valves in closed position until the pressing elements are in pressing contact. It will be further apparent that the valve locking mechanism is absolutely unaffected by changes in the thickness of the padding on the buck, the thickness oi the work between the pressing elements, or'the play or incombination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; op-

erating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; operator operated means to control the supply of working fluid to the motor; and mechanism, controlled by the pressure between the pressing jaws, for locking the fluid supply control means in operated position.

2. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for; the movable pressing jaw; means forholding the operating mechanism in. operated position to lock the press closed under pressure; and hydraulic pressure means, controlled by the pressure between the pressing jaws, for operating the means which hold the operating mechanism in operated position to lock the press closed.

3. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; two-hand control mechanism for said motor including a pair of operator operated valve means both of which must be operated to effectively supply working fluid to the motor; and means controlled by the pressure between the pressing jaws for holding said valve means in operated position to lock the press closed under pressure.

4. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means for controlling the flow of working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure mechanism for holding the valve means in operated position; and means operatedby the pressure between the pressing jaws to supply liquid to the hydraulic pressure mechanism to operate the same.

5. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one. of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means for controlling the flow of working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure mechanism for holding the valve means in operated position; Vmeans connected to the operating mechanism and operated thereby, when the operating mechanism applies pressure to the pressing jaws, to supply liquid under pressure to the valve holding hydraulic pressure mechanism; and means for releasing the hydraulic pressure so that the valve means may return to inoperative position.

6. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means vfor controlling the flow of working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure mechanism for holding the valve means in operated position means connected to the operating mechanism and operated thereby, when the operating mechanism applies pressure to the pressing jaws, to supply liquid under pressure to the valve holding hydraulic pressure mechanism and means for exhausting a portion of the liquid from vsaid hydraulic pressure mechanism to reduce the pressure therein so that the valve means may return to inoperative position. v

7. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which .is movable with respect to the other;

operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means for controlling the flow of working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure mechanism for holding the valve -means in operated position; means connected to the operating mechanism and operated thereby, when the operating mechanism applies pressure to the pressing jaws, to supply liquid under pressure to the valve holding hydraulic pressure mechanism; and means for reducing the pressure exerted by the operating mechanism against the pressing jaws and thereby relieving the hydraulic pressure on said valve holding mechanism.

8. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and the movable pressing jaw; valve means to control the supply of working fluid to the motor means; means urging the valve means into closed position to cut off the supply of working fluid to the motor means; fluid operated mechanism for holding the valve means in operated position; and means connected to the actuating mechanism and operated by pressure from the actuating mechanism to supply fluid to the fluid operated mechanism for holding the valve means in operated position.

9. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and themovable pressing jaw; a mounting for one of the membersof the actuating mechanism which is normally stationary and movable only when the actuating mechanism transmits pressure to the pressing jaws; valve means to controlthe supply of working fluid to the motor means; fluid operated mechanism to hold the valve means in operated position to lock the press closed; and means, operated by movement of the actuating member mounting, for supplying fluid to operate the fluid operated mechanism.

10. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and the movable pressing jaw; a pivotal mounting for one of the members of the actuating mechanism; a support on which said pivotal mounting is movably. mounted, the support being normally stationary and movable only when the actuating mechanism transmits pressure to the pressing jaws; valve means to control the supply of working-fluid to the motor; fluid'operated mechanism'to hold the valve means in operated position; and means operated by movement of the pivotal mounting on its support to supply fluid to the fluid operated means.

7 11. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; a lever on which the movable pressing jaw is carried; a pivotal mounting for said lever; support means on which said pivotalmounting is movably mounted; mechanism for operating said leverto close the press; control means for said operating mechanism; and means operated by movement of the pivotal mounting relative to its supportmeans, to hold the control means in operated position. y

12. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means to control the supply or" working fluid to the motor; means normally holding the valve means in position to prevent the effective flow of working "fluid to the motor; operator operated devices for moving the valve means into operated position to supply working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure means to hold the valve means in operated position; a liquid reservoir collapsible by pressure of the operating mechanism, when the pressing jaws are together under pressure to supply liquid to the hydraulic pressure means; and means operable to withdraw liquid from the hydraulic pressure means to reduce the pressure therein and thereby render said means inoperative to hold the valve means in operated position.

13. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination eooperatve pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing jaw including a motor; valve means to control the supply of working fluid to the motor; means normally holding the valve means in position to prevent the effective flow of working fluid to the motor; operator operated devices for moving the valve means into operated position to supply working fluid to the motor; hydraulic pressure means to hold the valve means in operated position; a liquid reservoir collapsible by pressure of the operating mechanism, when the pressing jaws are together under pressure, to supply liquid to the hydraulic pressure means; and'means to reduce the pressure exerted by the operating mechanism against the pressing jaws and thereby relieving the pressure in the hydraulic pressure means to render the same inoperative to hold the valve means in operated position.

14. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and the movable pressing jaw; a mounting for one of the members or the actuating mechanism which is normally stationary and movable only when the actuating mechanism transmits pressure to the pressing jaws; control means operable to supply working fluid to the motor means; manual means connected with the control means; means for holding the control means in operated position; and means 15. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and the movable pressing jaw; a mounting for one of the members of the actuating mechanism which is normally stationary and movable only when the actuating mechanism transmits pressure to thepressing jaws; control means operable to supply working fluid to the motor means; manual means connected with the controlmeans; means for holding the control means in operated position; means operableupon movement of the mounting and connected with the holding means for actuating the latter to hold the press closed, and means to release the holding means. I g

16. In a garment or laundry pressing. machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other;

motor means; actuating mechanism between the nism transmits pressure to the pressing jaws;

17. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing jaws one of which is movable with respect to the other; motor means; actuating mechanism between the motor means and the movable pressing jaw; a mounting for one of the members of the actuating mechanism which is normally stationary and movable only when the actuating 'mechanism transmits pressure to the pressing jaws; valve means operable to control the supply of working fluid to the motor means to close the press and to hold the press closed; fluid operated mechanism to hold thevalve means in operated position to lock the press closed; and means, operated by movement of the actuating member mounting, for supplying fluid to operate the fluid operated mechanism.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

